Navigation apparatus using radio communication device

ABSTRACT

When a radio communication device inputs a target place, it receives information of a radio control apparatus at the target place and those on the route from a database or a radio control apparatus. Upon reception of identification information of the radio control apparatus, the radio communication device compares it with the information of the radio control apparatus, and notifies the comparison result, thereby confirming its current position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio communication devicewhich can be connected to a plurality of radio control apparatuses.

[0002] A conventional navigation system displays the current position ona map using as a medium a GPS (global positioning system) that detectsthe latitude and longitude from information obtained by receiving radiowaves transmitted from communication satellites in the outer space.

[0003] However, the prior art suffers the following problems.

[0004] Since radio waves transmitted from the communication satellitesin the outer space must be used, the position cannot be measured at aposition very close to a skyscraper or under the ground.

[0005] Since only the latitude and longitude of the terminal positionare detected based on radio waves supplied from the communicationsatellites, each terminal must have area information required fornavigation, and a large-capacity storage medium must be prepared on theterminal side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiocommunication device which can be used as a navigation device even at aposition very close to a skyscraper or under the ground.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a radiocommunication device which can be used as a navigation device that doesnot require any large-capacity storage device.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of a railway transfernavigation system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a radio communication terminalin the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 is an area information database access sequence chart inthe first embodiment (railway transfer database) of the firstembodiment;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of a PHS simplenavigation terminal in the first embodiment (railway transfer database)of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the concept of a navigation systemaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of a PHS simplenavigation terminal in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of a PHS simplenavigation terminal according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0016]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a PHS simplenavigation terminal according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] (First Embodiment)

[0018] A railway transfer navigation system, which uses, as a radiocommunication medium, a personal handyphone system (PHS) that is used inJapan of digital cordless telephones adopting a microcell system incellular type radio communication systems, will be described below as anexample of a simple navigation system of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 1 shows the concept of a railway transfer navigation systemusing the PHS as a medium.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an areainformation database for storing identification information of radiobase stations and area information of the areas to be covered by therespective radio base stations in correspondence with each other; 2, aPHS navigation terminal having a display function; 10, a communicationprovider network that accommodates the radio base stations and thedatabase; 11, a radio base station which covers a station “A” as anarea; 12, a radio base station which covers a station “B” as an area; 13, a radio base station which covers a station “C” as an area; 1 4, aradio base station which covers a station “D” as an area; and 15, aradio base station which covers a station “E” as an area.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the PHS navigationterminal of the present invention.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a radio unit(RF unit) for transmitting/receiving radio waves; 202, a baseband unitfor converting a signal supplied from an audio unit or a control unit ora signal from the RF unit into a baseband signal; 203, an audio unit forcontrolling the input/output operations of an audio signal; 204, acontrol unit for controlling a speech communication and navigation ofthe PHS navigation terminal; 205, an internal memory for storinginformation for controlling the PHS navigation terminal, ID(identification) information, and the identification information of theradio base stations used when the PHS is used as a navigation terminal;206, a display unit for displaying various kinds of information such asa telephone number; and 207, an operation unit for operating the PHSnavigation terminal. The operation unit includes a hook key forattaining on-hook and off-hook operations, a ten-key pad for inputting adial number, and function keys, and these keys are used for inputting atarget place or destination when the PHS is used as a navigationterminal. Reference numeral 208 denotes a microphone for inputting anaudio signal; and 209, a loudspeaker for outputting an audio signal.

[0023] The PHS terminal normally has an automatic position registrationfunction of intermittently registering its position with respect to thebase station in accordance with an instruction from the control unit,and this embodiment utilizes this function.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a sequence chart when the PHS navigation terminal (2),in which a target place has been set via the operation unit 207 upondeparture, accesses the area information network via the radio stationsand the communication provider network.

[0025] After the navigation terminal performs originating connectionprocessing with respect to the area information database (30, 31),target place information set after the target place was set is notified(301). The area information database, which is notified of the targetplace, sends back identification information of the radio base stationsthat cover a transfer notice station, a transfer station, an arrivalnotice station, a target place station, and the like, as needed (302 to305).

[0026] After the identification information of the radio base station isreceived, the navigation terminal disconnects the connection to thedatabase (32, 33).

[0027]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the PHS navigationterminal.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, the PHS navigation terminal is connected viaa radio channel to the radio base station that covers the currentposition of the PHS navigation terminal in step S401. In thisembodiment, the radio base station to be connected corresponds to theradio base station 11 equipped in the station “A”.

[0029] In step S402, a target place (station “E”) is set in the areainformation database (1) via the radio base station (11) and thecommunication provider network (10) at the departure station (station“A”).

[0030] When the target place is input in step S402, the navigationterminal receives, from the area information database 1, information ofthe radio base stations which respectively cover the target station(station “E”), a transfer station (station “D”), and a transfer noticestation (station “C”) as notification target radio base stationidentification information, in step S403. The PHS navigation terminal 2stores the received notification target radio base stationidentification information in the internal memory 205 in step S404, anddisconnects the radio channel to the radio base station 11 in step S405.

[0031] When the PHS navigation terminal 2 has arrived at the station“B”, it performs position registration with the radio base station 12equipped in the station “B” using the automatic position registrationfunction in step S406. In this case, the terminal 2 receives theidentification number of the radio base station 12. Then, the terminal 2compares the notification target radio base station identificationinformation received in step S403 with the identification information ofthe radio base station 12, and if it is determined that theidentification information of the radio base station 12 does not matchany notification target radio base station identification information(S407 to S410), the terminal 2 waits for the next position registration.

[0032] When the PHS navigation terminal 2 has arrived at the station“CN, it performs position registration to the radio base station 13equipped in the station “C”, and compares the identification informationof the radio base station 13 and the notification target radio basestation identification information (S407). Since the station “C” is thenotification target of the transfer notice station, a transfer noticemessage is displayed on the display unit 206 to notify the user of thetransfer notice in step S411.

[0033] When the PHS navigation terminal 2 has arrived at the station“D”, it performs position registration to the radio base station 14, andcompares the identification information of the radio base station 14 andthe notification target radio base station identification information(S408). Since it is determined as a result of comparison in step S408that the station “D” is the notification target of the transfer station,a message is displayed on the display unit 206 to notify the user of thetransfer station in step S412. Furthermore, since the station “D” isalso the target place arrival notice station with respect to the station“E” as the target place, a target place arrival notice message isdisplayed on the display unit 206 to notify the user of the target placearrival notice in step S413. When the PHS navigation terminal 2 hasarrived at the station “E”, it performs position registration to theradio base station 15, and compares the identification information ofthe radio base station 15 and the notification target radio base stationidentification information (S410). Since it is determined as a result ofcomparison that the station “E” is the target place, a messageindicating that the user has arrived the target place is displayed onthe display unit 206.

[0034] If no target place is input in step S402, the control waits foran input dial number in step S415. If the dial number is input, speechcommunication processing is performed in step S416. Upon completion ofthe speech communication, the radio channel is disconnected in stepS417.

[0035] In this embodiment, notification from the navigation terminal isattained using a display unit. However, the present invention is notlimited to this. For example, the notification may be audibly attainedusing, e.g., a voice, signal tone, or the like, or may be attained bythe vibration of the navigation terminal.

[0036] (Second Embodiment)

[0037]FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of a microcell type radio telephonesystem used in the second embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an areainformation database for managing identification information of radiobase stations, area information of areas to be covered by the radio basestations, and area information based on dial numbers; 2, a PHSnavigation terminal with a display function; 10, a communicationprovider network that accommodates the radio base stations and thedatabase; and 51 to 54, radio base stations. The radio base stations 52to 54 respectively cover a station “B”, a station “C”, and a station “D”as areas. Reference numeral 55 denotes an individual line telephone.

[0039] Although the functional block arrangement of the PHS navigationterminal is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, the internal memory 205can store the dial number of the partner station of a speechcommunication, and the operation unit 207 includes a function key (to bereferred to as a navigation key in this embodiment) used when theterminal serves as a navigation terminal.

[0040]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the PHS navigationterminal of this embodiment.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 6, a radio channel is connected by performing,e.g., an off-hook operation in step S601. If a dial number is input instep S602, the input dial number is stored in the internal memory 205 instep S603, and speech communication processing is performed in stepS604. If the navigation key is depressed in step S605, the dial numberstored in step S602 and information indicating that the dial number isthat of a partner station when the PHS terminal serves as a navigationterminal are transmitted to the radio base station in step S606. If theradio base station determines that the dial number is that of thepartner station when the PHS terminal serves as a navigation terminal,it transmits the dial number to the area information database 1 togetherwith its own identification information. Upon reception of the dialnumber, the area information database 1 detects a telephone or a radiobase station corresponding to the received dial number, and sends backnavigation information of the route to a place where the dial number ispresent (to be referred to as a target place hereinafter) using areainformation from the radio base station that has transmitted the dialnumber to the telephone or the radio base station corresponding to thedial number. The navigation information includes identificationinformation of radio base stations present along the route. Uponreception of the navigation information, the radio base stationtransmits the received navigation information to the PHS navigationterminal 2.

[0042] Upon reception of the navigation information in step S607, thePHS navigation terminal 2 stores the received information in itsinternal memory in step S608. Upon completion of the reception of thenavigation information, the PHS navigation terminal 2 disconnects theradio channel, and performs a display operation based on the storednavigation information in step S610. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, ifthe area information database 1 determines the route from the currentposition of the PHS navigation terminal 2 to the target place such thatthe user goes to the station “B” as the nearest station, takes a trainfrom the station “B” to the station “D”, and then goes from the station“D” to a bus stop nE” by bus, the PHS navigation terminal 2 displays,for example, a message “take train at station “B”” in step S610.

[0043] When the user has arrived at the station “B”, the PHS navigationterminal 2 performs position registration with respect to the radio basestation of the station “B”, and receives identification information ofthe radio base station in step S611. Then, the PHS navigation terminal 2displays a navigation message on the basis of the receivedidentification information and the stored navigation information in stepS612. This display operation is repeated until the user arrives at thetarget place.

[0044] For example, when the user has arrived at the station “B”, amessage “take train and go to station “D”” is displayed, and when theuser has arrived at the statidn “D”, a message “go to bus stop “E” bybus” is displayed. If no dial number is input in step S602, and the dialnumber is input in step S615 after the navigation key is depressed instep S614, the flow advances to step S606 to perform the same operationas in the above description.

[0045] With the above navigation, the user can go from the currentposition to the target place via the shortest route.

[0046] (Third Embodiment)

[0047] In the first and second embodiments, the display unit displays asimple guidance message. Alternatively, a map may be displayed.

[0048] At this time, although the operation of the PHS navigationterminal is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 6, a targetplace may be input using the operation unit as in the first embodiment.Also, navigation information received in step S607 is map information,and the map that indicates the current position of the PHS navigationterminal and the target position is displayed in step S610. Every timethe position registration is performed in step S611, the currentposition of the PHS navigation terminal in the map displayed in stepS612 may be moved.

[0049] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0050] In this embodiment, a PHS navigation terminal displays mapinformation in a cell corresponding to its current position withoutsetting any target place, or the like.

[0051] The system arrangement of this embodiment is the same as that ofthe second embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] In this embodiment, the area information database has mapinformation near each radio base station.

[0053] The internal arrangement of the PHS navigation terminal 2 issubstantially the same as that shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, theoperation unit 207 has a navigation key for instructing a navigationfunction, and the display unit 206 can display a map.

[0054]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the PHS navigationterminal 2.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, the PHS navigation terminal 2 connects aradio channel to the radio base station by performing, e.g., an off-hookoperation in step S701. When the navigation key is depressed in stepS702, the PHS navigation terminal 2 transmits information forinstructing the navigation function and its own identificationinformation to the radio base station.

[0056] Upon reception of the information for instructing the navigationfunction, the radio base station connects the area information databaseand reads out map information of a cell corresponding to the position ofthe radio base station. The radio base station transmits the readout mapinformation to the PHS navigation terminal 2.

[0057] Upon reception of the map information from the area informationdatabase 1 in step S703, the PHS navigation terminal 2 disconnects theradio channel in step S704. The terminal 2 displays the received mapinformation on the display unit 206 in step S705. In the displayoperation in this case, when the PHS navigation terminal 2 receives mapinformation from the radio base station 51, it can display a map of thearea near the radio base station 51; when the terminal 2 receives mapinformation from the radio base station in the station such as the radiobase stations 52 to 54, it can display a map of the station precincts.

[0058] If the navigation key is not depressed in step S702, and a dialnumber is input instep S706, speech communication processing isperformed in step S707. When the speech communication has ended and, forexample, an on-hook operation is performed, the radio channel isdisconnected in step S708.

[0059] As described above, since the PHS navigation terminal displays amap near the radio base station which covers, as an area, a cellincluding the current position of the terminal, a user can recognize thearea features near the PHS navigation terminal.

[0060] In this embodiment, the radio base station connects the areainformation database to read out map information. If neighboring mapsare stored in units of radio base stations, the need for the areainformation database can be obviated, and the same effect as in thisembodiment can be obtained by storing a small amount of data in theradio base station. Also, neighboring maps may be stored in units ofbase stations, and the displayed map may be updated by map data read outfrom the area information database at predetermined intervals (e.g.,upon each access), thus reducing the traffic.

[0061] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0062] When a map is displayed like in the fourth embodiment, thedisplay unit is required to have a certain size. For this reason, inthis embodiment, a display unit interface 801 is arranged, as shown inFIG. 8, so that a display 802 can be connected thereto.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 8, the display unit interface 801 transmitsdisplay information such as a map to the connected display 802, which,in turn, displays display information transmitted from the display unitinterface 801.

[0064] With this arrangement, the user can observe displayed contentsmore easily.

[0065] As described above, since a cellular type radio communicationsystem such as a PHS with an automatic position registration function isused as a position searching medium, sufficient navigation required upontraveling on foot or by train can be realized without storing anylarge-capacity map information in a radio communication terminal. Inaddition, even in the closed space such as an underground market orbuilding, the navigation function is available as long as such placefalls within the service area of the cellular type radio communicationsystem.

[0066] The above embodiments have exemplified a system using a personalhandyphone system (PHS) as a radio communication medium as an example ofthe medium of the cellular type radio communication system with anautomatic position registration function. However, the same effect canbe obtained when other cellular type radio communication systems such asa DECT (digital European cordless telecommunication system), a PCS(personal communication service system), and the like with a positionregistration function of a digital cordless telephone.

[0067] The above embodiments have exemplified the railway transfernavigation system as an embodiment of a navigation system that utilizesa communication provider network to connect radio base stations.Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a navigationsystem movement in the building or precincts as one for a limited areawhile utilizing a private communication network to connect radio basestations.

[0068] Also, the present invention can also be applied to a navigationsystem upon travelling on roads when the area information databasemanages map information including road information, and a digitalcordless telephone terminal can store map information.

[0069] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the presentinvention can be made without departing from the spirit and scopethereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radio communication device which is connectedto a radio control apparatus and performs predetermined control,comprising: input means for inputting position information of a targetplace; transmission means for transmitting the position information tosaid radio control apparatus; reception means for receiving radiocontrol apparatus information based on the position information andidentification information of said radio control apparatus which has acontrol range including the current position of said radio communicationdevice; comparison means for comparing the radio control apparatusinformation and the identification information; and notification meansfor performing notification in accordance with a comparison result ofsaid comparison means.
 2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein saidreception means receives the identification information when said radiocommunication devices enters a control range of a different radiocontrol apparatus.
 3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein theradio control apparatus information is information associated with atleast a route from said radio control apparatus which has the controlrange including the current position of said radio communication deviceto another radio control apparatus based on the position informationinput by said input means.
 4. The device according to claim 1 , whereinthe position information is a dial number.
 5. The device according toclaim 1 , wherein said notification means performs notification when thecomparison result between the radio control apparatus information andthe identification information by said comparison means indicates acoincidence.
 6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein saidnotification means performs notification by a visual display operation.7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said notification meansperforms notification using an audible tone.
 8. The device according toclaim 1 , wherein said notification means performs notification by atactual indication by means of a vibration.
 9. The device according toclaim 1 , further comprising speech communication means for performing aspeech communication by radio.
 10. A radio communication system havingat least one radio control apparatus and a radio communication terminal,wherein said radio control apparatus comprises: connection means forconnecting a database which manages radio control apparatus informationbased on the radio control apparatus accommodated in said radiocommunication system; and first transmission means for transmittingidentification information of the radio control apparatus and the radiocontrol apparatus information to the radio communication terminal, andsaid radio communication terminal comprises: input means for inputtingposition information of a target place; second transmission means fortransmitting the position information to said radio control apparatushaving a control range including the current position of said radiocommunication terminal; reception means for receiving the radio controlapparatus information based on the position information from thedatabase and identification information of said radio control apparatushaving the control range including the current position of said radiocommunication terminal; comparison means for comparing the radio controlapparatus information and the identification information received bysaid reception means; and notification means for performing notificationin accordance with a comparison result of said comparison means.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 10 , wherein the radio control apparatusinformation to be managed by the database is information associated withat least a route from said radio control apparatus which has the controlrange including the current position of said radio communication deviceto another radio control apparatus based on the position informationinput by said input means.
 12. The system according to claim 10 ,wherein said reception means receives the identification informationeach time said radio communication terminal enters a control range of adifferent radio control apparatus.
 13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said notification means performs notification when thecomparison result between the radio control apparatus information andthe identification information by said comparison means indicates acoincidence.
 14. The system according to claim 10 , wherein saidnotification means performs notification by a visual display operation.15. The system according to claim 10 , wherein said notification meansperforms notification using an audible tone.
 16. The system according toclaim 10 , wherein said notification means performs notification by atactual indication by means of a vibration.
 17. The system according toclaim 10 , wherein said radio communication terminal further comprisesspeech communication means for performing a speech communication byradio.
 18. A control method for a radio communication device which isconnected to a radio control apparatus and performs a predeterminedoperation, comprising: the input step of inputting position informationof a target place; the transmission step of transmitting the inputposition information to the radio control apparatus; the reception stepof receiving radio control apparatus information based on the positioninformation and identification information of the radio controlapparatus which has a control range including the current position ofthe radio communication device; the comparison step of comparing theradio control apparatus information and the identification information;and the notification step of performing notification in accordance witha comparison result of the comparison means.
 19. The method according toclaim 18 , wherein the reception step includes the step of receiving theidentification information when the radio communication devices enters acontrol range of a different radio control apparatus.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 18 , wherein the radio control apparatus informationis information associated with at least a route from the radio controlapparatus which has the control range including the current position ofthe radio communication device to another radio control apparatus basedon the input position information.
 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the position information is a dial number.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 18 , wherein the notification step includes the stepof performing notification when the comparison result between the radiocontrol apparatus information and the identification information in thecomparison step indicates a coincidence.
 23. The method according toclaim 18 , wherein the notification step includes the step of performingnotification by a visual display operation.
 24. The method according toclaim 18 , wherein the notification step includes the step of performingnotification using an audible tone.
 25. The method according to claim 18, wherein the notification step includes the step of performingnotification by a tactual indication by means of a vibration.
 26. Themethod according to claim 18 , wherein the radio communication devicecan also perform a speech communication by radio.
 27. A control methodfor a radio communication system having at least one radio controlapparatus and a radio communication terminal, wherein the radio controlapparatus comprises: the transmission step of connecting to a databasewhich manages radio control apparatus information based on the radiocontrol apparatus accommodated in the radio communication system, andtransmitting identification information of the radio control apparatusand the radio control apparatus information to the radio communicationterminal, and the radio communication terminal comprises: thetransmission step of inputting position information of a target place,and transmitting the position information to the radio control apparatushaving a control range including the current position of the radiocommunication terminal; the reception step of receiving the radiocontrol apparatus information based on the position information from thedatabase and identification information of the radio control apparatushaving the control range including the current position of the radiocommunication terminal; the comparison step of comparing the radiocontrol apparatus information and the identification information; andthe notification step of performing notification in accordance with thecomparison result.
 28. The method according to claim 27 , wherein theradio control apparatus information to be managed by the database isinformation associated with at least a route from the radio controlapparatus which has the control range including the current position ofsaid radio communication device to another radio control apparatus basedon the position information input by said input means.
 29. The methodaccording to claim 27 , wherein the reception step includes the step ofreceiving the identification information each time the radiocommunication terminal enters a control range of a different radiocontrol apparatus.
 30. The method according to claim 27 , wherein saidnotification means performs notification when the comparison resultbetween the radio control apparatus information and the identificationinformation by said comparison means indicates a coincidence.
 31. Themethod according to claim 27 , wherein the notification step includesthe step of performing notification by a visual display operation. 32.The method according to claim 27 , wherein the notification stepincludes the step of performing notification using an audible tone. 33.The method according to claim 27 , wherein the notification stepincludes the step of performing notification by a tactual indication bymeans of a vibration.
 34. The method according to claim 27 , wherein theradio communication terminal can also perform a speech communication byradio.
 35. A radio communication device comprising: reception means forreceiving map information from a radio control apparatus; and displaymeans for performing a display operation on the basis of the mapinformation.
 36. The device according to claim 35 , wherein the mapinformation represents a map of an area around the radio controlapparatus.
 37. The device according to claim 35 , further comprisingspeech communication means for performing a speech communication byradio.
 38. A radio communication system comprising having a radiocontrol apparatus and a radio communication device, wherein said radiocontrol apparatus comprises: first reception means for receiving aninstruction signal for instructing transmission of map information; andfirst transmission means for transmitting map information in accordancewith the instruction signal received by said first reception means, andsaid radio communication device comprises: second transmission means fortransmitting the instruction signal; second reception means forreceiving the map information transmitted from said radio controlapparatus; and display means for performing a display operation on thebasis of the map information.
 39. The system according to claim 38 ,wherein the map information represents a map of an area around saidradio control apparatus.
 40. The system according to claim 38 , whereinsaid radio communication device further comprises speech communicationmeans for performing a speech communication by radio.
 41. The systemaccording to claim 38 , wherein said radio control apparatus isconnected to a database for managing the map information, and furthercomprises third reception means for receiving the map information fromthe database upon reception of the instruction signal.
 42. The systemaccording to claim 38 , wherein said radio control apparatus furthercomprises storage means for storing the map information.
 43. A controlmethod for a radio communication device, comprising: the reception stepof receiving map information from a radio control apparatus; and thedisplay step of displaying the map information.
 44. The method accordingto claim 43 , wherein the map information represents a map of an areaaround the radio control apparatus.
 45. The method according to claim 43, wherein the radio communication device can also perform a speechcommunication by radio.
 46. A control method for a radio communicationsystem comprising having a radio control apparatus and a radiocommunication device, wherein the radio control device comprises: thefirst reception step of receiving an instruction signal for instructingtransmission of map information; and the first transmission step oftransmitting the map information in accordance with the instructionsignal received in the reception step, and the radio communicationdevice comprises: the second transmission step of transmitting theinstruction signal; the second reception step of receiving the mapinformation transmitted from the radio control apparatus; and thedisplay step of performing a display operation on the basis of the mapinformation.
 47. The method according to claim 46 , wherein the mapinformation represents a map of an area around the radio controlapparatus.
 48. The method according to claim 46 , wherein the radiocommunication device can perform a speech communication by radio. 49.The method according to claim 46 , wherein the radio control apparatusis connected to a database for managing the map information, and furthercomprises the third reception step of receiving the map information fromthe database upon reception of the instruction signal.
 50. The methodaccording to claim 46 , wherein the radio control apparatus stores themap information.
 51. A database apparatus which is connected to a radiocontrol apparatus for controlling a radio communication device, andstores map information on the basis of a control range of said radiocontrol apparatus, comprising: reception means for receiving aninstruction signal which is output from said radio control apparatus tosaid radio communication device in accordance with an instruction; andtransmission means for transmitting the map information to said radiocontrol apparatus in accordance with the instruction signal.
 52. Theapparatus according to claim 51 , wherein the map information is storedon the basis of identification information of said radio controlapparatus.
 53. The apparatus according to claim 51 , wherein theinstruction signal includes at least identification information of theradio control apparatus.
 54. A control method for a database apparatuswhich is connected to a radio control apparatus for controlling a radiocommunication device, and stores map information on the basis of acontrol range of the radio control apparatus, comprising: the receptionstep of receiving an instruction signal which is output from the radiocontrol apparatus to the radio communication device in accordance withan instruction; and the transmission step of transmitting the mapinformation to the radio control apparatus in accordance with theinstruction signal.
 55. The method according to claim 54 , wherein themap information is stored on the basis of identification information ofthe radio control apparatus.
 56. The method according to claim 54 ,wherein the instruction signal includes at least identificationinformation of the radio control apparatus.